Spheroidal pivot for an electronic device

ABSTRACT

A multi-positionable computer comprises a user interface portion and a processing portion. The user interface portion includes a path along its back surface. The user interface portion can include a slot for receiving computer peripherals. The processing portion includes a connecting member for slidably coupling the processing portion to the user interface portion, and a rolling surface for contacting an external surface. The processing portion allows the user interface portion to be oriented in one of a plurality of positions along the path. In one orientation of the user interface portion, content is automatically displayed to align with the orientation of the user interface portion. In some embodiments, a virtual keyboard is displayed when the user interface portion is oriented in a predetermined position. The processing portion includes sides adjacent to the rolling surface. In some embodiments, ports and/or connections are accessible from at least one of the sides.

RELATED APPLICATION(S)

This application is a divisional application of co-pending U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 13/008,798, filed on Jan. 18, 2011, and entitled“Spheroidal Pivot for an Electronic Device,” which is herebyincorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to pivots for electronic devices. Moreparticularly, the present invention relates to spheroidal pivots forelectronic devices.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

All-in-one (AIO) computers are more compact than their counterparttraditional desktop computers, which makes AIO computers appealing toconsumers. For example, a screen and a computing system are integratedas one unit to optimize a user's work space. FIG. 1A illustrates anexemplary prior art AIO computer 100. The prior art AIO computer 100 isa unit 105 integrating a screen and a computing system. The unit 105 issupported by a stand 110. Peripheral devices, such as a keyboard 115, amouse 120 and a speaker 125, are typically in communication with theunit 105. Although the prior art AIO computer 100 saves space, the priorart AIO computer 100 is still bulky and has power and heat limitationsbecause of the integration of two electronic devices (i.e., a screen anda system) into one. Furthermore, orientation of the unit 105 is limitedsince the unit 105 is typically mounted to a stationary stand 110, whichmakes any touch screen feature of the AIO computer 100 infeasible tooperate.

For another example, a keyboard and a computing system are integrated asone unit to optimize a user's work space. FIG. 1B illustrates anotherexemplary prior art AIO computer 150. The prior art AIO computer 150 isa unit 155 integrating a keyboard and a computing system. The unit 155is typically in communication with a monitor 160. Although the prior artAIO computer 150 similarly saves space, the prior art AIO computer 150also suffers the same drawbacks as the prior art AIO computer 100. Inparticular, the prior art AIO computer 150 is bulky and has power andheat limitations because of the integration of two electronic devices(i.e., a keyboard and a screen) into one.

What is needed is an AIO computer that is compact yet addresses powerand heat limitations associated with the integration of a computingsystem with another electronic device.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present invention are directed towards a spheroidalpivot for an electronic device. The electronic device is typically adisplay panel. The spheroidal pivot typically includes a roller base andan arm. The roller base includes system circuitry, I/O ports, andconnections to external drives. The arm couples the roller base with thedisplay panel, and allows the roller base to roll along a path locatedon the display panel such that the display panel is oriented in aplurality of positions.

In one aspect, an all-in-one computer includes a display including aback panel, a track along a portion of the back panel, and a computingsystem configured as a support member for the display. The supportmember is typically configured to roll along the track. In someembodiments, the display is encased in a frame such that a slot existsbetween a portion of the display and the bottom of the frame forreceiving computer peripherals. In some embodiments, the track isdisposed within the back panel. Typically, the support member includesan arm that is removably engaged with the track. The support memberincludes processing circuitry, input/output ports, and a disc drive. Insome embodiments, the support member includes a spring member forabsorbing impact to the display. Alternatively, the support memberincludes material for absorbing impact to the display. In someembodiments, the computer further includes a sensor to determine anorientation of the display. When the display is in a first orientation,the display is in a non-touch mode, and when the display is in a secondorientation, the display is in a touch mode. Typically, in the touchmode, a virtual keyboard appears on the display. In some embodiments,the sensor is located at a portion of the display, and upon the sensordetecting a presence of the support member, the display is in the touchmode. Alternatively, the sensor is located at a portion of the display,and upon the sensor detecting the support member passing the sensor, thedisplay transitions between one input mode and another input mode.

In another aspect, a multi-positional computer includes a user interfaceportion for displaying content. The user interface portion includes apath along its back surface. The multi-positional computer also includesa processing portion. The processing portion includes a connectingmember for slidably coupling the processing portion to the userinterface portion. The processing portion also includes a rollingsurface for contacting an external surface. The processing portionallows the user interface portion to be oriented in one of a pluralityof positions along the path. In some embodiments, at least a section ofthe rolling surface includes an anti-skid material. In some embodiments,the processing portion further includes a latch that engages the userinterface portion to prevent the processing portion from sliding alongthe path. Typically, the processing portion further includes sidesadjacent to the rolling surface. In some embodiments, input/output portsand connections to external drives are accessible from at least one ofthe sides. In some embodiments, the multi-positional computer furtherincludes a sensor to detect an orientation of the user interfaceportion. An output of the user interface portion is typically configuredto automatically align with an orientation of the user interfaceportion. In some embodiments, the user interface portion automaticallydisplays a virtual keyboard when the user interface portion is orientedin a predetermined position.

In yet another aspect, a processing unit includes a spheroidal housing.The spheroidal housing typically includes an external rolling surfaceand sides adjacent to the external rolling surface, internal processingcircuitry, and input/output ports accessible from at least one side. Theprocessing unit also includes an arm extending from the external rollingsurface. The arm is configured to removably couple with a display panel.

In yet another aspect, a display panel including a screen on a frontside of the display panel, and a track on a back side of the displaypanel. The track is configured to receive a ball-bearing arm of a basesuch that the arm is able to slide within the track to orient thedisplay panel in one of a plurality of positions along the track.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will becomeapparent after reviewing the detailed description of the embodiments setforth below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Reference will now be made in detail to implementations of the presentinvention as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. The samereference indicators will be used throughout the drawings and thefollowing detailed description to refer to the same or like parts.

FIGS. 1A-1B illustrate exemplary prior art all-in-one (AIO) computers.

FIGS. 2A-2C illustrate different perspectives of an exemplary displaypanel in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 3A illustrates different perspectives of an exemplary AIO computerin a first position in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 3B illustrates different perspectives of the exemplary AIO computerof FIG. 3A in a second position in accordance with the presentinvention.

FIG. 4 illustrates another exemplary AIO computer in accordance with thepresent invention.

FIG. 5 illustrates yet another exemplary AIO computer in accordance withthe present invention.

FIG. 6 illustrates another exemplary roller base in accordance with thepresent invention.

FIG. 7 illustrates yet another exemplary roller base in accordance withthe present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In the following description, numerous details are set forth forpurposes of explanation. However, one of ordinary skill in the art willrealize that the invention may be practiced without the use of thesespecific details. Thus, the present invention is not intended to belimited to the embodiments shown but is to be accorded the widest scopeconsistent with the principles and features described herein.

Embodiments of the present invention are directed towards a spheroidalpivot for an electronic device. The electronic device is typically aflat display panel. The spheroidal pivot provides support for thedisplay panel and typically includes a roller base and an arm. In someembodiments, the roller base is ball-shaped, although the roller basemay be barrel-shaped (e.g., slightly horizontally elongated) to providefor greater stability and support during use. The arm couples the rollerbase with the display panel, and allows the arm to roll along a pathlocated on the display panel such that the display panel can be orientedin any of a plurality of positions. In some embodiments, the roller basefurther includes a spring member, cushion, or the like for absorbingimpact to the display panel during use. The roller base of the presentinvention not only provides support for the display panel, but theroller base also includes a computing system. The computing system isseparate from the display panel and a keyboard. Instead, the computingsystem is in its own housing, which advantageously reduces the thicknessof the display panel and keyboard, and eliminates power and heatlimitations associated with prior art all-in-one (AIO) computers. Theroller base includes system circuitry (e.g., motherboard, printedcircuit board), I/O ports, connections to external drives, and/or othercomponents typical of a computer system (e.g., connector to the displaypanel, power connection, fan). An AIO computer of the present inventionincludes the display panel and the spheroidal pivot.

An exemplary display panel 200 is illustrated in FIGS. 2A-2C inaccordance with the present invention. Particularly, FIGS. 2A-2Cillustrate different perspectives of the exemplary display panel 200.Typically, the display panel 200 is thin and not bulky as compared tothe prior art AIO computers because the display panel 200 is separatefrom the computing system. The computing system is typically locatedelsewhere, such as in a removable spheroidal pivot.

In some embodiments, the display panel 200 is encased in a frame 240larger than the display panel 200 such that a slot 215 exists between abottom of the display panel 200 and the bottom of the frame 240. Theslot 215 can be used for receiving computer peripherals such as akeyboard (not illustrated) and a mouse (not illustrated) when, forexample, the display panel 200 is positioned upright.

The display panel 200 comprises a front side 205 and a back side 225. Asillustrated in FIG. 2A, a screen 220 is typically formed on the frontside 205 of the display panel 200. Likewise, buttons 210 to controlmonitor settings are typically located on the front side 205, althoughthe buttons 210 can be located elsewhere on the display panel 200. Portsand other connectors 235 are typically located on a bottom edge of thedisplay panel 200, as illustrated in FIG. 2C, although the ports andother connectors 235 can also be located elsewhere on the display panel200.

A track 230 is typically formed on the back side 225 of the displaypanel 200. In FIG. 2B, the vertical track 230 is located substantiallyat a center of the width of the back panel 225. In some embodiments, thetrack 230 is disposed in the back side 225. Alternatively, the track 230is raised above the planar surface of the back side 225. The track 230typically receives an arm of a spheroidal pivot. Since the arm of thespherical pivot can slide and stop anywhere along the track 230, thedisplay panel 200 can be oriented in one of an infinite number ofpositions along the track 230. Alternatively, there are discretelocations along the track 230 in which the arm of the spherical pivotcan stop at. Although the track 230 shown in FIG. 2B is shaped as a “|”,the track 230 can be any shape including “+” shape. A “+” shape trackallows the user to orient the display panel 200 from landscape toportrait and vice versa.

FIGS. 3A-3B illustrate an exemplary AIO computer 300 in accordance withthe present invention. The AIO computer 300 comprises the display panel200, such as the one illustrated in FIGS. 2A-2C, and a spheroidal pivot310.

FIG. 3A illustrates two different perspectives of the AIO computer 300in a first position in accordance with the present invention. When theAIO computer 300 is in the first position, the spheroidal pivot 310 islocated at the bottom of the track 230. In some embodiments, when theAIO computer 300 is in this upright position, the display panel 200 istilted at an angle of no greater than 35° from the vertical.

The spheroidal pivot 310 includes a roller base 335 and an arm 350. Theroller base 335 includes internal system circuitry (not illustrated),I/O ports 355 a, connections to external drives 355 b, and/or othercomponents typical (e.g., not illustrated) of a computer system.Typically, the motherboard layout and the printed circuit board layoutwithin the roller base 335 are contoured to the unique shape of theroller base 335. The roller base 335 also includes a rolling surface 335a and sides 335 b adjacent to the rolling surface 335 a. In someembodiments, at least the I/O ports 355 a, connections to externaldrives 355 b, connector to the display panel 200, and power connectionare located on one or more sides 335 b of the roller base 335. In someembodiments, non-slip material 345, such as rubber, is formed on aportion of the rolling surface 335 a to prevent the spheroidal pivot 310from rolling when the display panel 200 is oriented in one of theplurality of positions along the track 230.

The arm 350 of the spheroidal pivot 310 is a connecting member forcoupling the roller base 335 to the display panel 200. The arm 350 issized to fit within the track 230 of the display panel 200, and isconfigured to slide within the track 230 of the display panel 200. Insome embodiments, the coupling end of the arm 350 includes aball-bearing module which allows the arm 350 to glide or slide withinthe track 230 in order to orient the display panel 200 in one of aplurality of positions along the track 230. Since the arm 350 of thespherical pivot 310 can slide and stop anywhere along the track 230, thedisplay panel 200 can be oriented in one of an infinite number ofpositions along the track 230. Alternatively, there are discretelocations along the track 230 in which the arm 350 of the sphericalpivot 310 can stop at. In some embodiments, the spheroidal pivot 310also includes a latch or lock mechanism (not illustrated) that engageswith the display panel 200 to prevent the spheroidal pivot from furthersliding within the track 230 of the display panel 200.

FIG. 6 illustrates another exemplary roller base 635 in accordance withthe present invention. The roller base 635 includes internal systemcircuitry (not illustrated), I/O ports 655 a, connections to externaldrives 655 b, and/or other components typical of a computer system (notillustrated). The roller base 635 also includes a rolling surface 635 aand sides 635 b adjacent to the rolling surface 635 a. In someembodiments, at least the I/O ports 655 a, connections to externaldrives 655 b, connector to the display panel, and power connection arelocated on a first portion of the rolling surface 635 a of the rollerbase 635. In some embodiments, non-slip material 645, such as rubber, isformed on a second portion of the rolling surface 635 a. In someembodiments, the first portion is positioned above the second portionsuch that the rolling of the roller base 635 does not hinder access tothe I/O ports 655 a, connections to external drives 655 b, connector tothe display panel, and power connection that are located on the firstportion of the rolling surface 635 a.

FIG. 7 illustrates yet another exemplary roller base 735 in accordancewith the present invention. The roller base 735 is similarly configuredas the roller base 335 of FIGS. 3A-3B, except that the roller base 735further includes means to soften impact to an AIO system when a usertouches a display panel that is coupled with the roller base 735. Theroller base 735 includes internal system circuitry (not illustrated),I/O ports 755 a, connections to external drives 755 b, and/or othercomponents typical of a computer system (not illustrated). The rollerbase 735 also includes a rolling surface 735 a and sides 735 b adjacentto the rolling surface 735 a. At least the I/O ports 755 a, connectionsto external drives 755 b, connector to the display panel, and powerconnection are located on one or more sides 735 b of the roller base735. The rolling surface 735 a includes means to soften impact to theAIO system when the user touches the display panel. For example, therolling surface 735 a can include a spring member 765 for absorbingimpact to a display panel that is coupled to the roller base 735. Thespring member 765 is configured to provide buoyancy when the springmember 765 is in contact with an external surface, such as a table. Insome embodiments, non-slip material 745, such as rubber, is attached toa portion of the rolling surface 735 a to prevent the spheroidal pivotfrom rolling when the display screen is oriented in one of the pluralityof positions. As illustrated in FIG. 7, the portion of the rollingsurface 735 a includes the spring member 765.

For another example, the rolling surface can include material (notillustrated), such as neoprene or the like, to cushion the impact to theAIO system when the user touches the display screen.

Referring back to FIGS. 3A-3B, when the spheroidal pivot 310 slides fromthe bottom of the track 230 to the top of the track 230, the displaypanel 200 is in a second position. Between the first position (FIG. 3A)and the second position (FIG. 3B), there are a plurality, even aninfinite number, of positions the display panel 200 can be oriented.FIG. 3B illustrates two different perspectives of the AIO computer 300of FIG. 3A in the second position in accordance with the presentinvention. When the AIO computer 300 is in the second position, thespheroidal pivot 310 is located at the top of the track 230 of thedisplay panel 200.

As discussed above, a portion of the rolling surface 335 a includesnon-slip material 345. In some embodiments, the portion of the rollingsurface 335 a including non-slip material 345 covers the surface of theroller base 335 that contacts an external surface, such as a table, whenthe AIO computer 300 is in this second position. Since at least the I/Oports 355 a, connections to external drives 355 b, connector to thedisplay panel 200, and power connection are located on one or more sides335 b of the roller base 335 rather than on the rolling surface 335 a,the I/O ports 355 a, connections to external drives 355 b, connector tothe display panel 200, and power connection remain accessible when thespheroidal pivot 310 is located at the top of the track 300. However, asdiscussed elsewhere, ports and connections can be located elsewhere onthe roller base 335 without hindering access to these ports andconnections.

Typically, a user has the display panel 200 in the first position (FIG.3A) when the user is sitting (e.g., the display panel 200 is typicallyat eye level), and has the display panel 200 in the second position(FIG. 3B) when the user is standing (e.g., the user is above the displaypanel 200). When the display panel 200 is in at least the firstposition, the AIO computer 300 is typically in non-touch mode. In otherwords, the user uses a keyboard and a mouse as input devices. (Thekeyboard and mouse can be stored in the slot 215.) However, the user isable to manually change modes from non-touch mode to touch mode. Intouch mode, a virtual keyboard appears on the screen of the displaypanel 200. At least when the display panel 200 is in the secondposition, the AIO computer 300 is typically in the touch mode. However,the user is able revert the mode back to non-touch mode.

In some embodiments, the transition between the two modes is automaticand can be accomplished by including a sensor located in a display panelto detect the location of a spheroidal pivot. FIG. 4 illustrates anexemplary AIO computer 400 with such a sensor 460 in accordance with thepresent invention. As illustrated in FIG. 4, the sensor 460 is locatedat approximately a midpoint of the display panel 405. The spheroidalpivot 410, which includes the roller base 435 and the arm 450, iscoupled to the display panel 405. In the left-most picture of FIG. 4,the spheroidal pivot 410 is located below or to the left of the sensor460. Since the sensor 460 has not yet detected the passing of thespheroidal pivot 410, the AIO computer 400 is in non-touch mode.However, the user is able to manually change modes from non-touch modeto touch mode. When the sensor 460 detects the passing of the spheroidalpivot 410 from below (or left of) to at or above (or right of) thesensor 460, such as that illustrated in the right-most picture of FIG.4, the AIO computer 400 automatically changes to touch mode, if notalready in touch mode. However, the user is also able to manually revertthe mode back to non-touch mode. Similarly, when the sensor 460 detectsthe passing of the spheroidal pivot 410 from above (or right of) tobelow (or left of) the sensor 460, the AIO computer 400 automaticallychanges to non-touch mode, if not already in non-touch mode.

In some embodiments, instead of a sensor located at approximately amidpoint of a display panel, such as in FIG. 4, a sensor 560 is locatedat one end of the display panel 505, such as in FIG. 5. As illustratedin FIG. 5, the sensor 560 is located at approximately a top of thedisplay panel 505. The spheroidal pivot 510, which includes the rollerbase 535 and the arm 550, is coupled to the display panel 505. In theleft-most picture of FIG. 5, the spheroidal pivot 510 and the sensor 560are located at opposite ends of the display panel 505. The sphericalpivot 510 is located at the bottom of the display panel 505. Since thesensor 560 does not detect the presence of the spheroidal pivot 510, theAIO computer 500 is in non-touch mode. However, the user is able tomanually change modes from non-touch mode to touch mode. When thedisplay panel 505 is flipped (e.g., the spheroidal pivot 510 is locatedat the top of the display panel 505), the sensor 560 detects thepresence of the spheroidal pivot 510, as illustrated in the right-mostpicture of FIG. 5. Once the sensor 560 detects the presence of thespheroidal pivot 510, the orientation of the output of the display panel505 is automatically changed to align with the display panel 505.Furthermore, the AIO computer 500 automatically changes to touch mode,if not already in touch mode. However, the user is also able to manuallyrevert the mode back to non-touch mode. Similarly, when the displayscreen 505 is flipped back (e.g., the sensor 560 does not detect thepresence of the spheroidal pivot 510 because the spheroidal pivot 510 islocated at the bottom of the display panel 505; left-most picture ofFIG. 5), the orientation of the output of the display panel 505 isautomatically changed to align with the display panel 505. Furthermore,the AIO computer 500 automatically changes to non-touch mode, if notalready in non-touch mode. The user is also able to manually revert themode back to touch mode. In this embodiment, the user is even able touse the AIO computer 500 when the AIO computer 500 is “flipped.”

In addition or alternatively, the AIO computer of the present inventionincludes an accelerometer (not illustrated) configured to automaticallychange screen orientation to align with the display panel or todetermine whether to display a virtual keyboard on the screen.

In some embodiments, a spheroidal pivot of the present invention isadvantageously removable from a display panel of the present invention.When a display panel is nonfunctional, such as having a broken screen,but the spheroidal pivot is in working condition, the spheroidal pivotcan be removed and mechanically and electrically coupled with anotherdisplay panel. Similarly, when a spheroidal pivot is nonfunctional, suchas having a broken hard drive or failed memory, but the display panel isin working condition, the nonfunctional spheroidal pivot can be removedand replaced.

The AIO system of the present invention is a zero-footprint computer, asit advantageously integrates components of a computing system with astand or support. There is no traditional “box” that takes up space onthe floor or desk. Since components of a computing system is notintegrated with another electronic device, power and heat limitationsassociated with prior art all-in-one (AIO) computers are eliminated.Furthermore, since the support is configured to roll along a portion ofa display panel, the display panel is able to be oriented in a pluralityof positions, allowing the user to use the AIO system in an ergonomicmanner.

While the invention has been described with reference to numerousspecific details, one of ordinary skill in the art will recognize thatthe invention can be embodied in other specific forms without departingfrom the spirit of the invention. Thus, one of ordinary skill in the artwill understand that the invention is not to be limited by the foregoingillustrative details, but rather is to be defined by the appendedclaims.

We claim:
 1. An all-in-one (AIO) computer comprising: a. a displayincluding a track along a portion of a back panel of the display; and b.a computing system having a spheroidal housing with an arm configured asa support member for the display, wherein the arm is mounted and isconfigured to roll along the track.
 2. The AIO computer of claim 1,wherein the display is encased in a frame such that a slot existsbetween a portion of the display and the bottom of the frame forreceiving computer peripherals.
 3. The AIO computer of claim 1, whereinthe track is disposed within the back panel.
 4. The AIO computer ofclaim 1, wherein the support member comprises an arm removably engagedwith the track.
 5. A multi-positional computer comprising: a. a userinterface portion for displaying content; and b. a processing portionincluding: i. a spheroidal housing with an arm mounted for slidablycoupling the processing portion to the user interface portion; and ii. arolling surface for contacting an external surface, wherein theprocessing portion allows the user interface portion to be oriented inone of a plurality of positions.
 6. The multi-positional computer ofclaim 5, wherein at least a section of the rolling surface includes ananti-skid material.
 7. The multi-positional computer of claim 5, whereinthe processing portion further includes a latch that engages the userinterface portion to prevent the processing portion from sliding along aportion of the user interface portion.
 8. The multi-positional computerof claim 5, wherein the processing portion further includes sidesadjacent to the rolling surface, and wherein at least one ofinput/output ports and connections to external drives are accessiblefrom at least one of the sides.
 9. The multi-positional computer ofclaim 5, wherein an output of the user interface portion is configuredto automatically align with an orientation of the user interfaceportion.
 10. A processing unit comprising: a. a spheroidal housingincluding: i. an external rolling surface and sides adjacent to theexternal rolling surface; ii. internal processing circuitry; and iii.input/output ports and connectors accessible from at least one of thesides; and b. an arm extending from the external rolling surface,wherein the arm is configured to removably couple with a display panel.11. The processing unit of claim 10, wherein an portion of the externalrolling surface includes an anti-skid material, wherein the anti-skidmaterial is configured to contact a surface.